A few weeks ago I bought a cheap mini-PC as a way to learn Linux. I liked it so much that I bought another mini-PC, this one with "the works" - an AMD Ryzen 7840 processor, 2 TB SSD and 32GB of RAM.
The power supply is a 30W wall-wart.
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| The small-footprint shack computer |
I'm impressed with them both. 4k video editing with the new mini-PC: smooth as silk.
Naturally, I've been looking for a radio to pair with it...
Fast forward to Dayton Hamvention. I was hoping for OL-SDR or Flex to announce something amazing so that I could have a PC-controlled QRP SDR rig to do duty apart from my stand-alone rigs. Things like 10/12-meter WSPR, experimenting with Linux SDR software as a way of learning the operating system, 3rd-party connectivity (skimmer, RBN, etc), the ability to access the radio remotely, etc.
The list goes on.
But the OL-SDR seems more and more like vaporware and Flex seems to have no interest in a QRP rig - their 1500 was discontinued many moons ago.
What I like about the mini-PC's is also true of many (no longer made) SDR transceivers: they offer a ton of functionality and customization possibilities in a tiny foot print.
Think of the front panel real estate that would be necessary to accommodate the functions of Thetis (screenshot).
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| Thetis software will run the HL2 |
The new rig that arrived today is an oldie-but-goodie - an open-source Hermes Lite 2.
It will do everything I need it to do for about $330. That price includes the transceiver as well as the "optional" LP filter board and aluminum case.
I built one of these rigs a few years ago for a friend but didn't tinker with it beyond making sure that it worked. At the time, I had two other SDR rigs and no interest in having a third one.
The HL2 has a good following of devoted fans, excellent support and many upgrades available, including one that makes it an HL2 Plus, which makes it a better CW rig and allows for smooth integration with a Hardrock-50 amp (which I have already).
Little did I realize how much I'd miss the versatility offered by a PC-controlled rig. And all at an economical price.
The requirement of a PC is certainly a restriction, but one with many advantages that I only realized once I no longer had them available; namely, that there are too many opportunities to experiment for me not to have a PC-controlled SDR rig.
20 minutes later:
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The Hermes is right at the top of my bucket list of things to try. I am very interested in getting your take on how it works on CW.
ReplyDeleteJim KF9VV
Hi Jim - it'll be a while before I get to CW with this rig. I leave town in a few days and am gearing up for that. In the meantime, the HL2 is doing fantastic on the digital modes. Set-up was easy and intuitive and I'm getting 5-8W out on all bands.
DeleteBoth CW and SSB sound good, ie the BW filtering seems to be very effective. SSB NR is remarkable - enabling NR2 makes SSB sound almost like FM. I think you've used PowerSDR (or similar) and know what I mean.
I ordered the Plus option this morning, which is said to make the rig more CW-friendly. I'm anxious to find out. So far, I really like the radio.
73,
John